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Creamy Pasta alla Vodka with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese served in a bowl

Pasta alla Vodka

A cozy and creamy tomato-based pasta dish that feels fancy yet is easy to prepare at home for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Base Ingredients
  • 1 lb Penne pasta Other shapes like rigatoni or shells can also be used.
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil For sautéing.
  • 1 tbsp Butter Adds flavor.
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp Tomato paste Essential for the sauce.
  • 1/2 cup Vodka Helps enhance the sauce flavor.
  • 1 cup Heavy cream For a silky finish.
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated Melts best when finely grated.
  • 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes Optional for a bit of heat.
  • to taste Salt and black pepper For seasoning.
  • 1 cup Pasta water Reserve before draining pasta.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Boil salted water and cook the penne until just barely al dente. Save about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Making the Sauce
  1. In a large pan, warm olive oil and butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, without browning.
  2. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes until it darkens and glistens, deepening the flavor.
  3. Pour in the vodka and stir, letting it simmer for about 1 minute to cook off the alcohol smell.
  4. Lower the heat and add the heavy cream, stirring until smooth and a pinkish-orange color is achieved.
Combining and Finishing
  1. Add the drained pasta to the sauce along with a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss to coat every piece.
  2. Add grated Parmesan, season with salt and pepper, and toss again until well combined.

Notes

Pasta alla Vodka is rich, pair it with a simple green salad or garlic bread. Use the reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed. For extra spice, add red pepper flakes to taste. Can also add peas or grilled chicken for variety.